Resource view for logging information in a modular control system

ABSTRACT

A method may include receiving a request to define a primary resource. The primary resource may enable access to a primary handler that corresponds to a logical entity that controls a device or a port or another resource. The method may include identifying a primary domain object for the primary resource. The primary domain object maps the primary resource to the primary handler. The primary domain object represents a state of the primary resource. The method may include identifying an interface for the primary resource. The interface may be configured to receive a command through a link from a client. The method may include receiving a state request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler is configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource in response to the request.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to access control systems, and more specifically, to a resource view in a modular access control system.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A modular control system may include components that communicate and coordinate their actions to achieve a set of tasks. For example, a controller device may control multiple peripheral devices that communicate with the controller or with each other. Managing multiple devices in a modular control system may pose various challenges.

SUMMARY

A method, performed by a computer device, may include receiving, by the computer device, a request to define a primary resource. The primary resource may enable access to a primary domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that controls a device or a port, or corresponds to a logical entity that controls another resource. The method may include identifying, by the computer device, a primary domain object for the primary resource in a domain object database. The primary domain object may map the primary resource to the primary domain object handler for the computer device. The primary domain object may represent a state of the primary resource. The method may include identifying, by the computer device, an interface for the primary resource. The interface specifies one or more commands associated with the resource. The interface may be configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client. The method may include receiving, by the computer device, a state request associated with the interface for the primary resource. The primary domain object handler may be configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource in response to the state request.

The method may include receiving, by the computer device, an event request associated with the interface for the primary resource. The primary domain object handler may be configured to send event messages associated with the primary resource in response to the event request.

The method may include receiving, by the computer device, a request to define a logging resource. The logging resource may enable access to a second domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that views the state of the primary resource.

The method may include identifying, by the computer device, a second domain object for the logging resource in a domain object database. The second domain object may map the logging resource to the second domain object handler for the computer device. The second domain object may represent a state of the logging resource.

The method may include receiving, by the computer device, the event messages associated with the primary resource and storing the event messages as the state of the logging resource in the second domain object.

The method may include identifying, by the computer device, an interface for the logging resource. The interface for the logging resource may specify one or more commands associated with the logging resource. The interface for the logging resource may be configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client.

The method may include receiving, by the computer device, a request associated with the interface for the logging resource. The domain object handler may be configured to send the state of the logging resource in response to the request. The state of the logging resource includes the event messages associated with the primary resource.

The request to define the logging resource may define a topic list. The request to define the logging resource may define a maximum number of events. Defining an interface for the logging resource may include defining a schema for receiving event messages as a state.

A device may include a memory to store instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions. The processor may be configured to execute the instructions to receive a request to define a primary resource. The primary resource enables access to a primary domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that controls a device or a port, or corresponds to a logical entity that controls another resource. The processor may be configured to identify a primary domain object for the primary resource in a domain object database. The primary domain object may map the primary resource to the primary domain object handler for the computer device. The primary domain object may represent a state of the primary resource. The processor may be configured to identify an interface for the primary resource. The interface may specify one or more commands associated with the resource. The interface may be configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client. The processor may be configured to identify a state request associated with the interface for the primary resource. The primary domain object handler may be configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource in response to the state request.

The processor may be configured to receive an event request associated with the interface for the primary resource. The primary domain object handler may be configured to send event messages associated with the primary resource in response to the event request.

The processor may be configured to receive a request to define a logging resource. The logging resource may enable access to a second domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that views the state of the primary resource;

The processor may be configured to identify a second domain object for the logging resource in a domain object database. The second domain object may map the logging resource to the second domain object handler for the computer device. The second domain object may represent a state of the logging resource.

The processor may be configured to receive the event messages associated with the primary resource and storing the event messages as the state of the logging resource in the second domain object.

The processor may be configured to identify an interface for the logging resource. The interface for the logging resource may specify one or more commands associated with the logging resource. The interface for the logging resource may be configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client. The processor may be configured to receive a request associated with the interface for the logging resource. The domain object handler may be configured to send the state of the logging resource in response to the request. The state of the logging resource includes the event messages associated with the primary resource.

The request to define the logging resource may define a topic list. The request to define the logging resource may define a maximum number of events. When defining an interface for the logging resource, the processor may be to define a schema for receiving event messages as a state.

A non-transitory computer-readable memory device may store instructions executable by a processor. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device may include instructions to receive a request to define a primary resource, wherein the primary resource enables access to a primary domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that controls a device or a port, or corresponds to a logical entity that controls another resource. The memory device may include instructions to identify a primary domain object for the primary resource in a domain object database, wherein the primary domain object maps the primary resource to the primary domain object handler for the computer device, and wherein the primary domain object represents a state of the primary resource. The memory device may include one or more instructions to identify an interface for the primary resource, wherein the interface specifies one or more commands associated with the resource, and wherein the interface may be configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client. The memory device may include one or more instructions to identify a state request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler may be configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource in response to the state request.

The memory device may include instructions to receive an event request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler may be configured to send event messages associated with the primary resource in response to the event request.

The memory device may include instructions to receive a request to define a logging resource, wherein the logging resource enables access to a second domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that views the state of the primary resource;

The memory device may include instructions to identify a second domain object for the logging resource in a domain object database, wherein the second domain object maps the logging resource to the second domain object handler for the computer device, wherein the second domain object represents a state of the logging resource;

The memory device may include instructions to receive the event messages associated with the primary resource and storing the event messages as the state of the logging resource in the second domain object.

The memory device may include instructions to identify an interface for the logging resource, wherein the interface for the logging resource specifies one or more commands associated with the logging resource, and wherein the interface for the logging resource may be configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client; and

The memory device may include instructions to receive a request associated with the interface for the logging resource, wherein the domain object handler may be configured to send the state of the logging resource in response to the request. The state of the logging resource may include the event messages associated with the primary resource.

The request to define the logging resource may define a topic list and maximum number of events. The memory device may include instructions to define a schema for receiving event messages as a state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in one embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of a system unit of FIG. 1 in one embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of a computing module that may be included in a component of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating exemplary functional components of the controller device of FIG. 2A according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of domain object handlers according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating exemplary information that may be stored in the resource database of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating exemplary information that may be stored in a link selector field of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating exemplary functional components of the central application programming interface engine of FIG. 3A according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating exemplary information that may be stored in the contracts database of FIG. 5A according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary view of resources managed by controller device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a diagram of an exemplary view of resources in a control system for a door with a lock employing a relay according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6C is a diagram of exemplary code to configure resources the resource of FIG. 6B according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6D is a diagram of the resources of FIG. 6B configured based on the code of FIG. 6C according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a configuration of a control system in one embodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are figures of a user interface on a web page displaying a state of a resource;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a configuration of a control system in one embodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are block diagrams of a configuration of a control system in one embodiment; and

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts of processes for a thin client to view a resource and to view an event logger resource.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements.

For rapid development of a thin client, developers may prefer that processes that require storing extensive state information to be in a server rather than in a web page. Web pages tend to get refreshed and closed, which can eliminate state information. Although there are ways to store information in storage located at a web app on the client, it may be preferable to move some of the state information to the server.

Methods and systems disclosed herein allow for a thin client (such as a component n a web browser) to view the state of a resource provided by a handler in a control system. For example, a web browser may show the state of a door as being “secure”, “not secure”, “open”, and/or “closed”. The resource may have a “viewing interface” for other handlers to view the state of resources through the viewing interface. Because the web browser may not be configured to store historical state information (or event information), another logging resource can be configured to view the state of the first or primary resource. The logging resource views and then stores historical state information and event information from the primary resource. A thin client can then view the historical state information and/or event information as the state of the logging resource. As such, the thin client may not need to store historical state information and/or event information. Rather, the thin client may view the state of the logging resource.

A control system may include one or more controllers, each controlling a different part of the system. A controller may also control multiple peripheral devices. A physical access control system, for example, may include many controllers, each controlling physical access to an area of a facility. In such a system, a controller may control, for example, the following peripherals: a credential input device (e.g., a card reader or a keypad), a lock that locks a door, a sensor that senses whether the door is open or closed, and a motor that opens and closes the door. In this example, the controller may receive credentials from the card reader or keypad, and unlock and open the door if the credentials are authenticated.

Operators often encounter difficulties when configuring controllers and peripherals. In some instances, configuring a controller and its peripherals (such as a card reader and door lock) can be so complicated that misconfiguration is easy and yet difficult to detect. For example, a misconfigured lock could potentially be controlled through multiple communication paths and the control logic may not be perfectly aware of the state of the lock, thus believing that a door is locked when in fact the door is not locked. Misconfigured door logic could also correspond to a door that was physically removed and does not exist in the physical world, but still exists in the controller as a logical process awaiting to authenticate a card credentials value (a “ghost door”).

In addition, different models of the same type of device (such as two different models of card reader) may use different commands, command formats, or data structures for control, operation, and/or communication. Some devices may even use different voltage levels or current flows to change a state (e.g., different models of lock). For example, take an access control system with a controller, card reader, and lock configured to unlock a door when authentic credentials are presented to the card reader. If the card reader is changed to a different model, the system may stop working and may need to be reconfigured (e.g., to a degree more than one would expect) even though the logical context has not changed and the new card reader is compatible—on a device level—with the remaining controller and lock. The degree of difficulty of reconfiguration increases the chance of misconfiguration and raises the level of expertise needed to reconfigure what would appear to be a minor change.

Configurations in large control systems can become so complex (e.g., in a large corporate campus) that a configuration process can take significant time, during which a communication link may be disrupted or a device may crash. In this case, the configuration may be incomplete, leaving the system state unknown and the operator unaware or frustrated with having to reset devices to a reconfigurable state. Additionally, if the configuration includes an error, some devices may be configured while other devices forgo the configuration because of the error. This may leave the system in an unexpected state until an error-free configuration can be determined and propagated.

These difficulties are exacerbated when the device-specific (or hardware) implementation of the system is not separated from the logical (e.g., context) implementation of the system. In other words, configuration may be more complicated and more challenging when the hardware or device implementation (e.g., model number) of system components is not separated from the logical context (e.g., card reader, door lock) of the system. One or more of the embodiments disclosed below may allow for improved configuration of control systems by separating the logical context from the underlying device implementations. One or more of the embodiments described below may also allow for improved configuration by providing an atomic configuration function, i.e., a configuration function that will either (1) fully and successfully complete or (2) make no change at all (e.g., return to its original state). One or more embodiments described below may also allow for clear “ownership” of control interfaces and/or peripheral devices. Ownership may prevent rogue or misconfigured devices from accessing, controlling, or configuring other resources in a system. Ownership may also enable a resource in a system to be identified and/or removed with its no longer required by the configuration.

Implementations described herein relate to a modular control system (such as a physical access control system) that represents functional elements managed by a controller as resources. In some implementations, the modular system may correspond to a modular physical access control system. In other implementations, the modular system may correspond to a monitoring system, such as a camera system. In yet other implementations, the modular system may correspond to a different type of system, such as an audio generating system.

A resource may enable access to a domain object that corresponds to a modular logical entity that represents a device or port or that corresponds to a modular logical entity that controls another domain object. A domain object may include a set of specifications that define how the domain object functions. For example, a domain object may include one or more interfaces that may be used by the domain object to receive commands or to send notifications. A domain object may be associated with one or more contracts that define how the domain object interacts with other domain object.

A domain object may present one or more resources to a configuration client or to other domain objects. A resource may be associated with a subset of interfaces associated with the domain object. Thus, for example, a first resource associated with the domain object may be associated with a first subset of interfaces to configure the domain object; a second resource associated with the domain object may be associated with a second subset of interfaces to control or use the domain object; a third resource associated with the domain object may be associated with a third subset of interlaces to send notifications to other domain objects, etc.

A domain object, as an example, may correspond to a logical entity that represents a device or port. For example, a peripheral device, such as a credentials reader, may be represented as a credentials reader domain object and made accessible to a configuration client, or to another domain object, as a credentials reader resource. The credentials reader resource may include a set of interface specifications that define how commands are sent to the credentials reader resource and how the credentials reader resource sends notifications of events to another resource.

A domain object, as another example, may correspond to a logical entity that controls another domain object via a resource (referred to as a target resource or as a server resource). For example, a door domain object may be defined that controls a credentials reader domain object, via a credentials reader resource, and that controls a lock domain object, via a lock resource. If the door domain object receives a notification from the credentials reader resource that authorized credentials were received by the credentials reader domain object, the door domain object may instruct the lock resource to unlock. In this example, the credentials reader domain object and/or the lock domain object may be modified or changed without necessarily affecting the functionality of the door domain object.

Furthermore, a resource may correspond to a collection of domain objects or an instance of a domain object. For example, a lock resource collection may include a set of lock resource instances available to a controller. An instruction to control a resource may refer to a resource collection and the controller may select an available domain object instance from the collection, as the operation or control of a resource must be directed to a specific domain object instance. Available resources may be organized into logical groupings of resource collections.

Each domain object may be associated with a domain object handler that includes code that processes operations associated with the domain object. A domain object handler, also referred to as just a handler, may execute code or instructions for domain objects of a particular type. Thus, a domain object handler may process the operations associated with domain object instances of a particular type. For example, a door domain object handler may handle operations for door domain object instances, a lock domain object handler may handle operations for lock domain object instances, a relay domain object handler may handle operations for relay domain object instances, a input/output port domain object handler may handle operations for input/output port domain object instances, etc.

Each resource may be included in, and/or presented by, a particular domain object instance that may remain dormant until registered with a domain object handler. A domain object handler may include code for running domain object instances of a particular type of domain object, process messages associated with the domain object instances of the particular type of domain object, maintain state information associated with the domain object instances of the particular type of domain object, execute scripts and/or other types of functions associated with the domain object instance of the particular type of domain object, and/or perform other types of processing associated with the domain object instances of the particular type of domain object. A domain object instance may not become active in the system unit until a configuration client device registers the domain object instance with a domain object handler.

Thus, a modular control system (such as a physical access control system) that represents functional elements (managed by a controller) as resources may improve the problem of compatibility and configuration management. In other words, a modular control system may represent functional relationships between elements as relationships between a client domain object and a target resource presented by a server domain object.

In such a modular system, defining the relationship between the domain objects (e.g., the functional elements managed by a controller) is a technical challenge. For example, if a domain object controls a port resource, the port resource should not necessarily be available to be used by another domain object. Furthermore, a first domain object, should be able to specify how a target resource, corresponding to a second domain object, is to be controlled (e.g., to the exclusion of other resources).

In such a modular system, defining the relationship between the domain objects (e.g., the functional elements managed by a controller) is a technical challenge. For example, if a domain object controls a port, the port should not necessarily be available to be used by another domain object. Furthermore, a resource, corresponding to a first domain object, should be able to specify how a target resource, corresponding to a second domain object, is to be controlled (e.g., to the exclusion of other resources).

Relationships between resources may be established by a configuration client using link selectors. A link selector corresponds to a configuration object included in a first domain object, also referred to as a client domain object, that specifies a target resource presented by a second domain object, also referred to as a server domain object, and that specifies how the target resource is to be controlled (or linked to) by a client domain object. The target resource may be also be referred to as a server resource, as the client domain object may send instructions to the server resource and/or may receive notifications from the server resource. The controller may generate a link between the client domain object and the server domain object based on the link selector if the controller determines that the target resource specified in the link selector can fulfill a request (such as to control the target resource through a particular interface, configure the target resource through a particular interface, and/or view the state of the target resource through a particular interface). Availability may be determined based on a contract associated with the target resource (e.g., the server resource).

A relationship between two domain objects may be established using a contract. A contract may specify the requirements of the relationship between the client domain object and a server resource presented by a server domain object. A contract may specify a client domain object, a server domain object, a type of interface through which the domain objects communicate, an interface through which the domain objects communicate, any notifications the server resource is required to send to the client domain object, and/or an established link via which the server resource and the client domain object communicate. The link may specify a communication path between the server domain object and the client domain object.

A resource (e.g., a server resource) may be able to execute and fulfill numerous contracts. Some contracts may be exclusive such that the server resource can only agree with one other resource (e.g., a client domain object) to execute and fulfill the requirements of the contract. An example of an exclusive contract is a contract to control the operation of the domain object associated with the target resource, such as a lock resource. In this example, only one client domain object (such as a door domain object) should be able to control the lock resource. This exclusivity prevents any other domain object from unlocking the door (and may help prevent misconfiguration). In this case, if a link selector requests that a domain object to be linked to a target resource through an interface for which the target resource already has an exclusive contract with a different client domain object, the link request will be denied and such a configuration will fail.

As stated above, if a link selector is approved and a new contract is generated between two domain objects based on the link selector, a link between the two domain objects may be generated. The implementation may depend on the underlying representation of the domain object and the underlying implementations may exist in various relationships with each other. The underlying representation of a domain object is referred to as a communication endpoint. Communication endpoints may exist in different location relationships with each other and different location relationships may require different message transport mechanisms for efficient communication.

As noted above, developers may prefer that processes that require storing extensive state information to be in a server rather than in a web page. Web pages tend to get refreshed and closed, which can eliminate state information. Although there are ways to store information in storage located at a web app on the client, it may be preferable to move some of the state information to the server. Methods and systems disclosed herein allow for a thin client (such as a component in a web browser) to view the state of a resource provided by a handler in a control system. The resource may have a “viewing interface” for other handlers to view the state of resources through the viewing interface. Because the web browser may not be configured to store historical state information (or event information), another logging resource can be configured to view the state of the first or primary resource. The logging resource may view and then store historical state information and event information from the primary resource. A thin client can then view the historical state information and/or event information as the state of the logging resource. As such, the thin client may not need to store historical state information and/or event information. Rather, the thin client may view the state of the logging resource.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary environment 100 in which the systems and/or methods described below may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, environment 100 may include a control system 110, a network 120, and an administration device 130.

Control system 110 may include a distributed computing system that includes system units 115-A to 115-N (referred to collectively as “system units 115” or individually as “system unit 115”). System unit 115 may implement a modular control system based on domain objects, which may be presented as resources to clients, as described herein. System unit 115 may be implemented as an embedded system. In some implementations, system unit 115 may include a control device, such as a physical access control device. For example, system unit 115 may include an access controller that controls access to a secured area, such as a room or a group of rooms. System unit 115 may receive credentials (e.g., access card credentials) via a reader device and determine whether the credentials are authentic and are associated with authority to access the secure area. If so, the access controller may issue a command to open a lock on a door or perform other operations associated with granting access to the secure area. In other implementations, system unit 115 may include a different type of security device, such as a monitoring device and/or a device that controls the operation of a machine.

Network 120 enables system units 115 to communicate with each other and/or may enable administration device 130 to communicate with system units 115. Network 120 may include one or more circuit-switched networks and/or packet-switched networks. For example, network 120 may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiber optic-based network, a wireless network, and/or a combination of these or other types of networks.

Administration device 130 may include software (e.g., client software) to enable an administrator to connect to a particular system unit 115, configure the system unit 115, change the configuration of the system unit 115, receive information from the system unit 115, subscribe to notifications from the system unit 115, access information stored in the system unit 115, and/or otherwise administer control system 110. Administration device 130 may include any device configured for communicating with a system unit 115. For example, administration device 130 may include a portable communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet computer, and/or another type of wireless device); a personal computer or workstation; a server device; a laptop computer, and/or any type of computing device with communication capability.

In some implementations, administration device 130 may implement a “thin” client. A thin client may access system unit 115 without having to store any state information associated with system unit 115. For example, a thin client may implement a web page (e.g., JavaScript) that accesses information stored in system unit 115 and displays the information in one or more display objects included in the web page. In other implementations, administration device 130 may implement a “thick” client that stores state information associated with system unit 115. As a thick or thin client, administration device 130 may operate a browser that can access web pages (e.g., including hyper-text markup language and JavaScript) from a particular controller 210.

Although FIG. 1 shows exemplary components of environment 100, in other implementations, environment 100 may include fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, or additional components than depicted in FIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, any one device in environment 100 (or any group of devices) may perform the functions described as performed by one or more other devices in environment 100. For example, in some implementations, system units 115 may include an input and/or output device (e.g., keyboard/keypad and display, touchscreen, etc.) and administration device 130 may not be needed.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of a system unit 115. As shown in FIG. 2A, system unit 115 may include a controller 210 and one or more peripheral devices 230-A to 230-N (referred to herein collectively as “peripheral devices 230” and individually as “peripheral device 230”). Controller 210 may control the operation of system unit 115, may communicate with other system units 115, may communicate with administration device 130, and/or may control peripheral devices 230. Controller 210 may include a computing module, which is described with reference to FIG. 2B.

Peripheral devices 230 may include one or more devices that communicate with controller 210, provide information to controller 210, and/or that are controlled by controller 210. For example, a peripheral device 230 may include a reader device that reads credentials from a user and provides the credentials to controller 210. The reader device may include a keypad configured to receive an alphanumeric personal identification number (PIN) from a user; a card reader to configure a card that stores a card code on a magnetic strip or another type of storage device, such as an RFID tag or NFC chip; a fingerprint reader configured to read a user's fingerprint; an iris reader configured to read a user's iris; a microphone configured to record a user's voice for a voice signature; and/or another type of reader device. The reader device may include any type security device that can provide credentials, and may additionally include one or more sensor devices, such as, for example, a camera used for facial recognition and/or a microphone used for voice recognition.

As another example, a peripheral device 230 may include a lock controlled by controller 210 via, for example, a relay device (e.g., within controller 210). The lock may lock a door (e.g., prevent it from opening or closing), an elevator, a window, an HVAC vent, and/or another type of access opening to a secure area. For example, the lock may include an electromagnetic lock; a mechanical lock with a motor controlled by controller 210; an electromechanical lock; and/or another type of lock. Furthermore, the lock may lock/unlock operation of a machine, transport vehicle, elevator, and/or an electrical device. As another example, a peripheral device 230 may include a relay device that is controlled by controller 210 via a general input/output port. The relay device may control, for example, a door.

As yet another example, peripheral device 230 may include a sensor device. For example, a sensor device may include a door sensor to sense whether a door is open or closed; a visible light monitoring camera, an infrared (IR) light monitoring camera, a heat signature monitoring camera, and/or another type of monitoring device; an alarm sensor, such as a motion sensor, a camera with motion detection software, a heat sensor, a pressure sensor, and/or another type of alarm sensor; an audio recording device (e.g., microphone); a tamper sensor, such as a position sensor located inside system unit 115; and/or a “request to exit” button located within a secured area associated with system unit 115; and/or another type of sensor device.

As another example, peripheral device 230 may include an actuator device. For example, an actuator device may include an illumination device; a burglar alarm activator; a speaker to play messages or generate alarm signals; a display device; a motor to move a sensor device (e.g., control the field of view of a camera or other monitoring device); a motor for opening/closing a door, window, HVAC vent, and/or another opening associated with a secure area; a motor to secure lock device a in a locked or unlocked position; a fire extinguishing device; and/or another type of actuator device.

As yet another example, system unit 115 may correspond to a camera system, with controller 210 corresponding to a controller of the camera unit and peripheral devices 230 corresponding to sub-systems of the camera system. For example, a first peripheral device 230 may correspond to a camera head with a lens system, a second peripheral device 230 may correspond to a pan-tilt-zoom (PZT) motor assembly, a third peripheral device 230 may correspond to a storage device to store an image stream captured by the camera head or to a transceiver device to transmit the image stream to another device, etc.

Housing 222 may enclose the components of controller 210 to protect the components of controller 210 from the environment. In one embodiment, housing 222 may house one or more of peripheral devices 230. In another embodiment, housing 222 may not include peripheral devices 230. In yet another embodiment, housing 222 may include administration device 130. Housing 222 may define the boundaries of one system unit 115 and/or controller 210 from other system units 115 and/or controllers 210 in a multi system unit 115/controller 110 system. Housing 222 may also define the boundaries of controller 210 from one or more peripherals 230.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of a computing module 208. Controller 210 and/or peripheral device 230 may include one or more computing modules 208. Other computing devices in environment 100, such as administrative device 130, may also include one or more computing modules 208. Computing module 208 may include a bus 212, a processor 214, a memory 216, a network interface 218, a peripheral interface 220, and a housing 222.

Bus 212 includes a path that enables communication among the components of controller 210. Processor 214 may include one or more of any type of single-core processor, multi-core processor, central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), microprocessor, latch-based processor, and/or processing logic (or families of processors, microprocessors, and/or processing logics) that interprets and executes instructions. Additionally or alternatively, processor 214 may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or another type of integrated circuit or processing logic.

Memory 216 may include any type of dynamic storage device that may store information and/or instructions, for execution by processor 214, and/or any type of non-volatile storage device that may store information for use by processor 214. For example, memory 216 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device, a read-only memory (ROM) device or another type of static storage device, a content addressable memory (CAM), a magnetic and/or optical recording memory device and its corresponding drive (e.g., a hard disk drive, optical drive, etc.), and/or a removable form of memory, such as a flash memory.

Network interface 218 may include a transceiver (e.g., a transmitter and/or a receiver) that enables controller 210 to communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive data) with other devices and/or systems via wired communication links (e.g., conductive wire, twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, transmission line, fiber optic cable, and/or waveguide, etc.), wireless communication links (e.g., radiofrequency (RF), infrared, and/or visual optics, etc.), or a combination of wireless and wired communication links. Network interface 218 may include a transmitter that converts baseband signals to RF signals and/or a receiver that converts RF signals to baseband signals. Network interface 218 may be coupled to an antenna for transmitting and receiving RF signals.

Network interface 218 may include a logical component that includes input and/or output ports, input and/or output systems, and/or other input and output components that facilitate the transmission of data to other devices. For example, network interface 218 may include a network interface card (e.g., Ethernet card) for wired communications and/or a wireless network interface (e.g., a WiFi, cellular, etc.) card for wireless communications. Network interface 218 may also include a universal serial bus (USB) port for communications over a cable, a Bluetooth wireless interface, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) interface, a near-field communications (NFC) wireless interface, and/or any other type of interface that converts data from one form to another form.

Peripheral interface 220 may be configured to communicate with one or more peripheral devices 230. For example, peripheral interface 220 may include one or more logical components that include input and/or output ports, input and/or output systems, and/or other input and output components that facilitate the transmission of data to peripheral devices 230. As an example, peripheral interface 220 may communicate with peripheral devices using Serial Peripheral Interface Bus protocol, such as a Wiegand protocol, an RS-485 protocol, a relay, and/or another type of protocol. As another example, peripheral interface 220 may use a different type of protocol. In one embodiment, network interface 218 may also act as a peripheral interface for coupling peripherals 230 to controller 210.

Some computing modules 208 (e.g., in administration device 130) may also include input device 224 and/or output device 226. Input device 224 may enable a user to input information into computing module 208. Input device 224 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a microphone, a camera, a touch-screen display, etc. Output device 226 may output information to the user. Output device 226 may include a display, a printer, a speaker, etc. Input device 224 and output device 226 may enable a user to interact with applications (e.g., a web browser) executed by computing module 208. In the case of a “headless” device (e.g., controller 210), input and output is primarily through network interface 218 rather than input device 224 and output device 226.

Controller 210, peripheral device 230 and/or administration device 130 (e.g., each employing a different computing module 208) may perform operations relating to a modular control system, such as selecting links within the modular system, setting up a transport layer within the modular control system, propagating fallback commands within the modular control system, and/or viewing resources within the modular system. Computing module 208 may perform these operations as a result of hardwired circuitry of an ASIC. Additionally or alternatively, computing module 208 may perform these operations in response to processor 214 executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 216. A computer-readable medium may include a non-transitory memory device. A non-transitory memory device may be implemented within a single physical memory device or spread across multiple physical memory devices. The software instructions may be read into memory 216 from another computer-readable medium or from another device. The software instructions contained in memory 216 may cause processor 214 to perform processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Although FIGS. 2A and 2B show exemplary components of system unit 115 and computing module 208, in other implementations, system unit 115 may include fewer components, different components, additional components, or differently arranged components than depicted in FIG. 2A. Additionally or alternatively, any component of system unit 115 (or any group of components) may perform the task or tasks described as performed by one or more other components of system unit 115. For example, in some implementations, peripheral interface 220 may correspond to a network interface. As another example, in some implementations, peripheral devices 230 may be connected to controller 210 via network interface 218, rather than via peripheral interface 220.

Further, although examples of control system 110 may include a physical access control system, other implementations may control systems other than physical access systems. For example, control system 110 may include a system to control a fan (e.g., start or stop), to initiate an alarm in a building management system (e.g., failed or successful authentication), to control traffic lights, or to control robots in an industrial automation system. As a physical access control system, control system 110 may include any type of physical access control systems (e.g., in different operational environments), such as a control system for opening and/or closing a door, controlling physical access to a building or facility, controlling hotel room doors for hotel guests, and/or controlling elevator floor access.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating exemplary functional components of controller 210. The functional components of controller 210 shown in FIG. 3A may be implemented, for example, via processor 214 executing instructions from memory 216. Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the components of controller 210 may be implemented via hard-wired circuitry.

The functional components of controller 210 may implement a modular architecture of a control system. The modular control system may include services and/or resources in which, for example, relationships between resources are abstracted from the underlying implementation of a particular resource. As shown in FIG. 3A, controller 210 may include a web server 310, a transport interface 320, a central API engine 330, a configuration server 340, a domain object DB 345, a link manager 350, a link DB 355, domain object handlers 360-A to 360-N (referred to collectively as “domain object handlers 360” and individually as “domain object handler 360” or more simply “handlers 360” and “handler 360”), a logic runner 370, and/or a processes DB 375.

Web server 310 implements a web server that, in one embodiment, acts as a point of entry into controller 210 for other devices that seek to communicate with controller 210, such as other system units 115, administration device 130, and/or other types of devices. Web server 310 may establish a secure connection with a device that seeks to communicate with controller 210 using, for example, Transport Layer Security (TLS), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HTTP Secure (HTTPS), and/or another protocol. Furthermore, web server 310 may perform authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) for incoming traffic and may route authentication and authorized traffic to central API engine 330 and/or to link manager 350. Furthermore, web server 310 may host one or more web applications that enable administration device 130 to interact with controller 210.

Transport interface 320 may convert messages received by web server 310 into a format used by central API engine 330 and convert messages from central API engine 330 into a format used by a client communicating with web server 310. For example, transport interface 320 may convert a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) GET request for information into an API call or request that may be processed by central API engine 330 to obtain the information. Transport interface 320 may then convert an API response from central API engine 330 into an HTTP response for the client. As another example, transport interface 320 may convert an HTTP POST request into an API call to configure a particular resource. As yet other examples, transport interface 320 may convert a Representational State Transfer (REST) request into an API call, convert a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) into an API call, convert a web socket call into an API call, and/or may perform a conversion from another type of communication method into an API call to be processed by central API engine 330.

Central API engine 330 processes API requests associated with resources. An API call may create, remove, modify, and/or request information about a resource, for example. Furthermore, an API call may create, delete, or modify a collection of resources. Additionally, central API engine 330 may include a link client 366 (described below) for communicating directly with link clients 366 of resources. When a command needs to be sent to a particular resource, link client 366 of central API engine 330 may send the command to link client 366 of the particular resource.

In creating a resource, central API engine 330 may identify a domain object associated with the resource, select and/or identify one or more interfaces for the resource from a set of interfaces associated with the identified domain object, and/or define one or more communication links to another resource for the resource.

Configuration server 340 may configure a domain object handler based on information stored in domain object DB 345. Domain object DB 345 may store information relating to (e.g., data structures defining) domain objects managed by controller 210. Exemplary information that may be stored in domain object DB 345 is described below with reference to FIG. 4A. Configuration server 340 may control domain object DB 345 and process updates to domain object DB 345. For example, configuration server 340 may process updates received from central API engine 330 relating to the configuration of a domain object handler associated with a domain object that defines a resource. Furthermore, configuration server 340 may update the state of a domain object based on information received from a domain object hander 360 associated with the domain object. For example, a domain object may report a change in a state via an interface using interface proxy 364 and configuration server 340 may update a domain object to record the change in the state.

Furthermore, configuration server 340 may respond to requests for data from central API engine 330. For example, central API engine 330 may request information relating to a first domain object and a second domain object when generating a new contract between the first domain object and the second domain object to determine whether the new contract can be generated. Furthermore, configuration server 340 may report error messages to central API engine 330, such as any failure or error messages reported by a domain object. Central API engine 330 may then report such failures or errors to a user via web server 310, for example. Additionally, configuration server 330 may ensure that resources (e.g., all resources) are associated with a domain object handler 360 and may instruct logic runner 370 to create or select a domain object handler 360 for a particular resource.

Link manager 350 manages communication links between domain object handlers using information stored in link DB 355. A link between a first domain object and a second domain object represents the ability of the code executing on behalf of the first and second domain objects (e.g., domain object handlers) to communicate with each other. As such, the link manager 350 may associate a link specified in domain objects with an implementation of that link, which defines a communication path between the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler. Link manager 350 may receive a request from configuration server 340 to implement a link between a first domain object handler and a second domain object handler based on a contract between the first domain object and the second domain object. Link manager 350 may make determinations regarding how to implement the link as a communication path, such as whether the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler are associated with the same process and/or are implemented on the same device.

If the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler are associated with the same process ID, link manager 350 may identify a memory buffer used by the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler to communicate with each other. If the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler are associated with different process IDs in the same device, link manager 350 may select an inter-process communication mechanism to be used by the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler to communicate with each other. For example, in some implementations, link manager 350 may generate an inter-process socket (e.g., a Linux domain socket), connect the generated socket to the second domain object handler, and instruct the first domain object handler to send and receive data to and from the second domain object handler using the generated socket. In other implementations, link manager 350 may select a different type of inter-process communication, such as a pipe, a software bus, or a storage file to be used by the first domain object and the second domain object to communicate with each other.

If the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler are associated with different devices (e.g., the first domain object handler is associated with system unit 115-A and the second domain object handler is associated with system unit 115-B), link manager 350 may identify the other device associated with the second domain object handler and then generate a communication path to the other device.

As another example, link manager 350 may identify the other device based on information included in the link selector associated with the link. For example, the link selector in the first domain object may include a device ID associated with the other device that includes the second domain object. As an example, the second domain object may be identified in the link selector by a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that includes a path name that identifies the other device and the second resource. As yet another example, link manager 350 may, when generating a communication path for a link, query other devices in control system 110 to determine which device is associated with the domain object handler associated with the second domain object. For example, link manager 350 may send a message to the other devices with a resource ID for the second resource, requesting a response from a particular system unit 115 identifying whether the domain object associated with the second resource is included in the domain object DB 345 of the particular system unit 115.

After the other device is identified, link manager 350 may establish a secure communication path to link manager 350 located in the other device. For example, the two link managers 350 from the two devices may exchange information (such as network addresses and/or ports) to establish a socket between the two domain objects on different devices. Additionally, or alternatively, the two link managers 350 may perform a TLS handshake to exchange key information for encrypted communication. Link manager 350 may store information associated with an implemented link in link DB 355. Link manager 350 may also send the information associated with an implemented link to link client 366 associated with the end-point resources (e.g., link client 366-A and link client 366-B). In this way, the communication path does not necessarily pass through link manager 350 (thus avoiding a bottleneck) and domain objects may communicate with each other (via respective link clients 366). Thus, link manager 350 configures links between domain object handlers and link clients 366 of the resources send and receive messages via the configured link.

Domain object handler 360, also referred to as a handler 360, may handle domain objects (e.g., domain objects of a particular type). Handler 360 may execute code to provide resources in a service through interfaces exposed by handler 360 (e.g., as defined in a domain object). In one embodiment, each different type of domain object may be managed by a different domain object handler 360. As an example, if system unit 115 controls two different types of locks (e.g., each being a peripheral 230 to a controller 210), system unit 115 may run two different domain object handlers 360, a first domain object handler 360 for domain object instances associated with the first type of lock and a second domain object handler 360 for domain object instances associated with the second type of lock. As another example, a first domain object handler 360 may execute code associated with a first type of door (e.g., a swing door), and a second domain object handler 360 may execute code associated with a second type of door (e.g., a sliding door).

A domain object instance of a particular type may be defined in a domain object data structure stored in domain object DB 345 and code/instructions associated with the operation or functioning of domain object instances of the particular type may be handled by a particular domain object handler 360 configured for the particular type of domain object instances. Domain object handler 360 may include domain object logic 362, an interface proxy 364, and a link client 366.

Domain object logic 362 may include logic to implement functions and/or process instructions associated with domain object instances of a particular type of domain object. For example, domain object logic 362 may identify a particular port, one or more pins of an input/output port and/or a particular device (e.g., a relay controlling a lock). Furthermore, domain object logic 362 may include a device driver for a particular peripheral device 230, a set of instructions to control the particular peripheral device 230, one or more libraries of functions associated with the particular domain object, and/or other types of logic and/or instructions to implement the particular domain object.

Interface proxy 364 may implement one or more interfaces associated with the particular domain object and/or type of domain object. As an example, configuration server 340 may send instructions to a handler associated with an instance of a domain object type via interface proxy 364 using a particular interface. As another example, configuration server 340 may receive a notification and/or may request a piece of information about the domain object instance (e.g., through the associated handler) via interface proxy 364 using a particular interface.

Link client 366 may interface with and (in some instances) be configured by link manager 350. For example, link client 366 may receive information about an implementation of a link that defines a communication path between it and another link client 366 associated with another domain object. Link client 366 may use this information to send and/or receive messages through the communication path to/from the other domain object (e.g., via the associated handler). The destination domain object may be located in the same device or in a different device. If the destination is located in the same device, link client 366 may forward the message to a link client 366 associated with the second domain object (e.g., by using a memory buffer or an inter-process socket). If the destination domain object handler is located on a different device (e.g., another system unit 115 or administration device 130), link client 366 may pass the message through web server 310. Similarly, link client 366 may receive a message from a domain object on another device via web server 310.

In one embodiment, link manager 350 may act as a go-between, intermediary, or proxy between two domain objects. In this embodiment, a link client 366 may send a message to another domain object handler via link manager 350 or may receive a message from another domain object handler via link manager 350. In this embodiment, link manager 350 may route messages between domain object handlers based on information stored in link DB 355. As an example, link manager 350 may receive a message from a first domain object handler, associated with a first domain object and destined for a second domain object, identify an implementation of the link between the first domain object handler and the second domain object handler based on information stored in link DB 355, and forward the message to a destination associated with the second domain object handler.

Logic runner 370 may run processes in controller 210. A particular process may execute domain object handler 360 associated with domain object instances of a particular type. Particular domain objects may be associated with particular processes via an identifier referred to as a slot. Each process may be associated with a priority and processes with a higher priority may be assigned more processor time. A particular domain object may be linked to a particular process via a slot. A particular process may execute resources (e.g., activated resources) that are deployed and running in a control system. Information relating to processes managed by logic runner 370 may be stored in processes DB 375.

Although FIG. 3A shows exemplary functional components of controller 210, in other implementations, controller 210 may include fewer functional components, different functional components, differently arranged functional components, or additional functional components than depicted in FIG. 3A. Additionally, any one of the components (or any group of components) of controller 210 may perform functions described as performed by one or more other functional components of controller 210.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary configuration 377 of domain object handlers 360 (or more simply “handlers 360” if plural or “handler 360” if singular), clients 380, interfaces 382, and resources 384 in one embodiment. Configuration 377 includes two clients: client 380-1 and client 380-2. Clients 380 may represent external client software (e.g., hosted by administration device 130) and/or an internal client (e.g., another domain object handler 360). Configuration 377 also has two domain object handlers 360: a first handler 360-A and a second handler 360-B.

First handler 360-A provides a service that includes two resources: resource 384-A1 and resource 384-A2. First handler 360-A also exposes two interfaces 382, provided by the service, for the two resources: first interface 382-A1 for resource 384-A1, and second interface 382-A2 for resource 384-A2.

Second handler 360-B provides a service that includes one resource 384: resource 384-B1. Second handler 360-B exposes one interface 382, provided by the service, for the resource: an interface 382-B1 for resource 384-B1. Second handler 360-B acts as a server to provide resource 384-B1 of a service to its client (e.g., first handler 360-A).

FIG. 4A illustrates exemplary information (e.g., data structure(s) and/or records) that may be stored in domain objects DB 345. As shown in FIG. 4A, domain objects DB 345 may include one or more domain objects 400 (referred to in the singular as “domain object 400”). Domain object 400 may store information relating to a domain object handler, such as the services provided by the handler, the interfaces exposed by the handler, and/or resources that correspond to the interfaces.

Domain object 400 may include a domain object identifier (ID) field 408, a type field 414, a handler field 422 (or domain object handler field 422), and/or a slot field 424. Domain object 400 may also include one or more resource records 402 (referred to in the singular as “resource record 402”). Resource record 402 may correspond to a resource provided by a domain object handler as part of a service. Some or all of the fields described as being in resource record 402 may be included in domain object 400, such as state field 428.

Domain object ID field 408 may store an identifier associated with domain object 400. The domain object identifier may be generated when the corresponding domain object is created and may be unique to the domain object. The identifier may be a universally unique identifier (UUID) for the domain object.

Type field 414 may store information identifying a type of domain object for domain object 400. For example, the type may specify a type of device or port associated with the particular domain object, a type of logical entity (e.g., a type of door or another type of portal, such as a window, elevator door, HVA vent, etc.), a make and/or model for a type of device, a software version associated with a device or device driver, and/or other information that may specify a type of domain object. Handler field 422 may store information identifying domain object handler 360 associated with the resource and/or domain object.

Slot field 424 may store information identifying a slot associated with the particular domain object 400. A slot may correspond to a process ID that associates the particular domain object to a particular process managed by logic runner 370. Thus, the slot may associate the particular domain object to a process ID (PID) running on controller 210.

As noted, a domain object 400 may include one or more resource records 402. Resource record 402 may include a resource ID field 410, a collection/instance field 412, an interface field 416, a link selector field 418, a contracts field 420, a function field 426, a state field 428, and/or a fallback command field 430.

Resource ID field 410 may store an identifier associated with the corresponding resource. The identifier may be generated when the resource is created and may be unique to the resource. In one implementation, the resource identifier field may include a path name based on the resource location in the resource tree (e.g., portal/door/1) and/or may also be associated with a universally unique identifier (UUID).

Collection/instance field 412 may store information identifying whether the particular domain object corresponds to a resource collection or to a resource instance.

Interface field 416 may store information relating to one or more interfaces associated with the resource. A domain object may be associated with many interfaces, and each resource associated with the domain object may be associated with a subset of those interfaces. Interface field 416 may also identify a schema for the interface. The schema may specify the format for the interface, such as the required fields and data types for each field. Furthermore, interface field 416 may identify one or more commands that may be sent to the particular resource using the interface. Moreover, interface field 416 may identify one or more notifications that may be generated by the domain object using the interface.

Link selector field 418 may store one or more link selectors associated with the resource and/or domain object. Exemplary information that may be stored in link selector field 418 is described below with reference to FIG. 4B.

Contracts field 420 may store information relating to one or more contracts associated with the resource. A contract may identify the entity (e.g., another resource or handler) that is authorized to use a particular interface of another resource or handler. In this way, the interface may be used (e.g., exclusively) by the authorized entity, for example. A contract may identify a client domain object, a server domain object, an interface associated with the contract, a link between the client domain object and the server domain object, and any notifications (e.g., a subscription to a notification) that may be sent by the server domain object to the client domain object as part of the contract. In some implementations, an executed contract may have two parts: one for each party to the contract and each party may be associated with one of the parts. In some implementations, the contract may also include a field that specifies whether the contract is an exclusive type or not an exclusive type.

Function field 426 may store information relating to one or more functions to be performed by the handler corresponding to the resource. For example, function field 426 may store a function for the handler to interpret a fallback command (e.g., stored in fallback command field 430) to generate another fallback command for another (e.g., server) resource to execute should communication between the domain object and the server resource fail. As another example, function field 426 may store a function for the handler to generate a command for another resource linked to by the handler. The function may generate the command in response to a detected condition (e.g., a broken communication path), to generate a notification for a client or another resource, or may include another type of function. Examples of such functions may include applying one or more access rules to a credentials value, maintaining a particular state for a particular period of time (e.g., a maximum time period a lock is allowed to be in an unlocked state), sending a notification message in response to detecting an event, storing information associated with an event, etc. In some implementations, a function may be defined using a script.

State field 428 may store information relating to one or more states associated with the particular resource. For example, state field 428 may store information identifying whether the particular resource has been activated. Moreover, state field 428 may store information relating to one or more functional states associated with a resource, such as, for example, whether the resource is operational, any error states associated with the resource, what state the resource is currently in (e.g., is a lock locked or unlocked, is a door open or closed, how many people are in a room, is a port sending or receiving data, is an indicator light on or off, etc.).

Fallback command field 430 may specify a command that the associated handler should execute if the domain object handler 360 is no longer in communication with the client domain object handler 360 (e.g., through the interlace specified in interface field 416). The fallback command recorded in fallback command field 430 may be received during a configuration process or operational process, for example, through an interface associated with configuration.

As mentioned above, some domain objects 400 may store information relating to resource instances and other domain objects 400 may store information relating to resource collections (e.g., a collection of resources of a particular type). A resource associated with a collection of resources may be referred to as a service associated with that collection of resources. For example, a “configuration” or “installation” service may provide a resource for configuring other resources. Each service may be associated with its own domain object handler 360. Thus, each service may correspond to a particular domain object type.

Although FIG. 4A show exemplary components that may be stored in domain objects DB 345, in other implementations, domain objects DB 345 may include fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, or additional components than depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating exemplary information that may be stored in link selector field 418. As shown in FIG. 4B, link selector field 418 may include a link selector ID field 452, a type field 454, a target field 456, and a data field 458.

Link selector ID field 452 may store an identifier associated with a particular link selector. The identifier may be generated when the corresponding link selector field is created and may be unique to the link. The identifier may be a universally unique identifier (UUID) for the link selector.

Type field 454 may identify a type associated with the particular link selector. A link selector may correspond to a “use,” “configuration,” or “private” type. A “use” type may indicate that the client domain object is configured to use the target resource without configuring the target resource. A “configuration” type may indicate that the client domain object is configured to use the target resource and to change the configuration of the target resource. A “private” type link selector may indicate that the target resource is created by the link selector for the exclusive use of the client domain object.

Target field 456 may identify the target resource associated with the particular link selector. The target resource may correspond to the server resource included in the server domain object and the domain object that includes the particular link selector may correspond to the client domain object that uses/controls the server or target resource.

Data field 458 may include configuration data associated with the particular link selector. For example, the configuration data may configure the target resource into a particular state, instruct the target resource to provide a particular type of notification to the client domain object, and/or other types of configuration instructions.

Although FIG. 4B shows exemplary components that may be stored in link selector field 418, in other implementations, link selector field 418 may include fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, or additional components than depicted in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating exemplary functional components of central API engine 330. The functional components of central API engine 330 shown in FIG. 5A may be implemented, for example, via processor 214 executing instructions from memory 216. Alternatively, some or all of the components of central API engine 330 may be implemented via hard-wired circuitry. As shown in FIG. 5A, central API engine 330 may include a resource manager 510, a configuration client interface 515, a contracts manager 520, a contract DB 525, and a configuration server interface 530.

Resource manager 510 may manage resources, domain objects, and domain object handlers associated with controller 210. For example, resource manager 510 may detect link selectors in a resource record 402 using a link selector detector. The link selector detector may access a resource record 402 when a new resource is modified and detect a link selector based on a particular link selector field identifier.

Resource manager 510 may perform CRUD operations on resources by instructing configuration server 340 to update domain objects DB 345. Resource manager 510 may receive CRUD requests via, for example, configuration client interface 5150. Configuration client interface 515 may interface with a configuration client in administration device 130, another system unit 115, and/or another type of device. In one embodiment, the configuration client may include a thin client that does not store state information associated with system 115, such as a web interface. Alternatively, the configuration client may implement a “thick” client that stores state information associated with system unit 115.

Contracts manager 520 may monitor contracts associated with a resource and may store information relating to resource contracts in contract DB 525. Exemplary information that may be stored in contract DB 525 is described below with reference to FIG. 5B. Contracts manager 525 may identify contracts associated with a resource based on, for example, contracts field 420 of resource record 402 associated with a domain object. Contracts manager 520 may detect a link selector in a resource record 402 associated with a domain object, based on, for example, a link selector field identifier. Contracts manager 520 may then determine, based on the contracts associated with an interface of a target resource specified in a link selector, whether the target resource is available to form a contract with the client domain object that includes the link selector. If the target resource is not available and the link selector cannot be implemented, contracts manager 520 may generate an error message and send the error message to administration device 130, indicating that a link selector associated with the client domain object cannot be realized. If the target resource is available to form a contract based on the identified link selector, contracts manager 520 may generate a contract between the client domain object that includes the link selector and the server resource specified as the target resource in the link selector. Contracts manager 520 may store information relating to the generated contract in contract DB 525 and/or in resource records 402 associated with the client domain object and the server resource.

Configuration server interface 530 may interface with configuration server 340. For example, configuration server interface 530 may send instructions to configuration server 340 to update a particular resource record 402 in domain objects DB 345 based on a CRUD request received, and approved, by central API engine 330. Configuration server interface 530 may instruct link manager 350 to implement a link based on a detected link selector, if contracts manager 520 generates a new contract based on a link selector and resource manager 510 selects to implement a link based on the link selector and contract. After generating a link, link manager 350 may provide information relating to the generated link to contracts manager 520 via configuration server interface 530. Configuration server interface 530 may instruct link manager 350 to implement a link based on the detected link selector, if contracts manager 520 generates a new contract based on a link selector. After generating a link, link manager 350 may provide information relating to the generated link to contracts manager 520.

Although FIG. 5A shows exemplary functional components of central API engine 330, in other implementations, central API engine 330 may include fewer functional components, different functional components, differently arranged functional components, or additional functional components than depicted in FIG. 5A. Additionally, any one of the components (or any group of components) of central API engine 330 may perform functions described as performed by one or more other functional components of central API engine 330.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating exemplary information that may be stored in contract DB 530. As shown in FIG. 5B, contract DB 530 may include one or more contract records 550. Each contract record 550 may store information relating to a particular contract between two resources. In one embodiment, a contract may have two parts (e.g., two contract records 550): one for each party to the contract and each party may be associated with one of the parts. Contract record 550 may include a contract ID field 552, a client domain object field 554, a server domain object field 556, an interface field 558, a notifications field 560, and a link ID field 562. In one embodiment, contract record 550 may also include a field that specifies whether the contract is an exclusive type or a non-exclusive type.

Contract ID field 552 may include an identifier that identifies a particular contract. If the contract has been executed, then each of the two parts of the contract may be associated with the same identifier in contract ID field 552, for example. The contract ID may be generated when the contract is executed and may be unique (e.g., a UUID).

Client domain object ID field 554 and server domain object ID field 556 together may identify the parties (e.g., the resources) to corresponding contract. Client domain object ID field 554 may identify the client domain object ID associated with the particular contract (e.g., as stored in the corresponding resource ID field 408). Server domain object ID field 556 may identify the server domain object ID associated with the particular contract (e.g., as stored in the corresponding resource ID field 408).

Interface field 558 may identify an interface (or a type of interface) associated with the contract. Interface field 558 may identify the interface by reference to an API in interface field 416 of resource record 402 associated with the server domain object identified in server domain object ID field 556. When central API engine 330 determines whether a resource can fulfill a contract, central API engine 330 may determine whether the interface specified in interface field 558 is capable of fulfilling the interface requested by the client domain object.

Notifications field 560 may store information relating to any notifications that are to be sent from the server domain object to the client domain object. For example, the client domain object may subscribe to notifications relating to a particular event associated with the server domain object. Link ID field 562 may identify a link established by link manager 350 between the client domain object and the server domain object.

Although FIG. 5B show exemplary components that may be stored in contract DB 525, in other implementations, contract DB 525 may include fewer components, different components, differently arranged components, or additional components than depicted in FIG. 5B. For example, client domain objectID field 554 and server domain object ID field 556 may be labeled first-party ID field and second-party ID field. As another example, contract DB 525 may include an executed field that includes a Boolean value indicating whether the contract has been executed (e.g., agreed upon by the two parties).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary view 601 of resources managed by controller device 210 (e.g., as perceived by an external client such as administration device 130). View 601 is similar to configuration 377 (FIG. 3B) but with the omission of interfaces for simplicity and ease of understanding. View 601 shows resources 610 in a hierarchical tree in which the corresponding domain object handler 360 (each referred to as “handler” for simplicity in FIG. 6A) may include one or more links to one or more other resources (e.g., through interfaces which are not shown). For example, the handler of a root resource 610-A links to each of resources 610-A1 to 610-AM, the handler of resource 610-A1 links to each of resources 610-A11 to 610-A1N, the handler of resource 610-AM links to each of resources 610-AM1 to 610-AMP (e.g., where M, N, and P are integers), and so on. As noted above, each link from a handler to a resource passes through an interface (not shown). Each link may also be generated based on a link selector and may identify the resource as the target resource of the link selector. In some instances, a handler may not link to any resources.

Resources may be addressed by a handle or pointer. For example, the handle or pointer to resource 610-AMP may be written as resource_610-A/resource_610-AM/resource_610-AMP. The top resource may be referred to as the root or system resource and may be omitted from the handle or pointer for convenience.

As discussed, a resource is provided by the service of a domain object handler 360. In some cases, a single domain object handler 360 may provide the services of multiple resources. A domain object handler 360 may act as a client and request the services of a resource provided by another domain object handler (acting as a server) through an interface.

FIG. 6B is a diagram of an exemplary view 602 of resources in a control system for a door with a lock employing a relay. View 602 omits the root or system resource for ease of understanding. View 602 may be, for example, how resources are presented (e.g., logically and/or graphically) to a software client in administration device 130 for an administrator to understand and configure the control system. Resources 610 shown in FIG. 6B included in service layer 611 are: hw (or “hardware”) service 610-2, installation service 610-3, portal service 610-4, and locks service 610-5. Other resources 610 may include hardware/relays/1 610-6, installation/doors 610-7, installation/relays/1 610-8, and installation/locks 610-9. These resources 610 may also be expressed as resource relays/1 610-6 in the hardware service 610-2, for example.

Resources 610 may be created, removed, and/or configured by clients (e.g., client software in administration device 130 and/or handlers). FIG. 6C includes an example of code 650 to configure resources from the configuration shown in view 602 to configuration shown in view 603 (shown in FIG. 6D). In the following example, code 650 is passed to the handler for installation/doors resource 610-7 in a POST command (e.g., from client software in administration device 130). The handler for installation/doors resource 610-7 interprets code 650 and configures handlers to expose interfaces associated with resources as shown in view 603 (see FIG. 6D), as described below.

The handler for installation/doors resource 610-7 interprets code 650. In doing so, the handler for installation/doors resource 610-7 creates and configures an instance of a door resource (portal/doors/1 610-10 in FIG. 6D) such that a configuration interface and an operational interface associated with portal/doors/1 resource 610-10 is exposed to the handler of portal service 610-4. The new instance of the door resource (e.g., portal/door/1 610-10) is given the name “My Front Door” and a maximum open time of 20 seconds (e.g., before sounding an alarm) (see FIG. 6D). The handler for installation/doors resource 610-7 recognizes the “myLock” attribute and passes its value (e.g., link selector 652) to central API engine 330. Central API engine 330 continues in a recursive fashion and is tasked with configuring handler(s) to expose interface(s) for providing resource(s) in a service according to requirements posed by requesting handler (e.g., a link selector) and returning the appropriate information to the requesting handler.

With respect to link selector 652, the “private” value for the “type” attribute indicates that an instance of a lock should be created. In addition, the “private” type may indicate that the configuration interface to the new lock instance should be claimed (e.g., exclusively and/or by using a contract) by the handler for portal/doors/1 610-10. The handler for resource installation/locks 610-9 receives a command (e.g., code 654) for the creation and configuration of the new instance of a lock resource (e.g., locks/1 610-11 in the locks service 610-5) such that the configuration interface and an operational interface associated with locks/1 resource 610-11 is exposed to the handler for portal/doors/1 610-10. The handler for resource installation/locks resource 610-9 provides the name “My lock” for the resource locks/1 610-11 in the locks service 610-5 (as indicated in code 654). Further, the handler for installation/locks resource 610-9 recognizes the “myOutput” attribute and passes its value (e.g., link selector 656) to central API engine 330. Central API engine 330 continues in a recursive fashion and is tasked with configuring handler(s) to expose interface(s) for providing resource(s) in a service according to requirements posed by requesting handler (e.g., a link selector) and returning the appropriate information to the requesting handler.

With respect to link selector 656, the “use” value for the “type” attribute indicates that a relays instance exists for use. Central API engine 330 then configures the handler for hw/relays/1 610-6 such that the configuration interface associated with hw/relays/1 resource 610-6 is exposed to the handler for locks/1 in the locks service 610-5.

Assuming that there are no errors with respect to the interpretation and implementation of code 650, central API engine 330 returns configuration information for the resource hw/relays/1 610-6 to the handler for installation/locks 610-9; and the configuration information for the resource locks/locks/1 610-11 to the handler for installation/doors.

As noted above, resource record 402 in a domain object 400 may store state information in state field 428. The state information may include information such as: “secure” or “notSecure” for portal/doors/1 resource 610-10; “locked” or “notLocked” for locks/locks/1 resource locks/1 610-11; or “activated” or “deactivated” for hw/relays/1 resource 610-12. The state information may include information such as the length of time a door has been open or how many times the door has been opened in the past 24 hours, as another example. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a configuration 700, which is similar to configuration 377 (FIG. 3B) in some respects. Configuration 700 includes an external client 380-1, client domain object handler 360-A (or “client handler 360-A”), and a server domain object handler 360-B (or “server handler 360-B”). Server handler 360-B provides a resource 384-B1 in a service by exposing two interfaces: operational interface 382-B1 and viewing interface 382-B2. Client handler 360-A uses the service provided by server handler 360-B through operational interface 382-B1 associated with resource 384-B1. Resource 384-B1 may be referred to as a “primary resource” and handler 360-A may be referred to as a “primary domain object handler.”

Operational interface 382-B1 (e.g., “portal_op”) may receive operational commands, such as “makeSecure” to lock a door (e.g., if server handler 360-B provides a resource for a door). Viewing interface 382-B2 may pass state information to a client (e.g., such as external client 380-1 and/or a different client handler). In the case of a door (e.g., if server handler 360-B provides a resource for a door), the state may be “secure” or “notSecure”.

In the example of configuration 700, external client 380-1 may be a thin client. For example, external client 380-1 may be a web browser (or a component of a web page) running in administration device 130. Alternatively, external client 380-1 may be a mobile app running in a mobile device. External client 380-1 may receive information (through viewing interface 382-B2) about the state of resource 384-B1 associated with server handler 360-B. As a thin client, in one embodiment, external client 380-1 does not store historical state information (although storing the historical state information is possible). Instead, in this embodiment, external client 380-1 stores (and may display) the current state of resource 384-B1 provided by server handler 360-B (e.g., through viewing interface 382-B2).

In one embodiment, server handler 360-B may not provide historical state information, historical event information, event information (e.g., event notifications or messages) to external client 380-1 for external client 380-1 to store. Instead, in this embodiment, server handler 360-B provides the current state (and in one embodiment only the current state) stored in the corresponding domain object 400 and/or resource record 402 to external client 380-1. External client 380-1 may, for example, display the current state provided through viewing interface 382-B2 by server handler 360-B. For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B are block diagrams of a web page with windows 802 (or frames 802) for displaying state information at two different times. That is, FIG. 8A shows windows 802 at one time and FIG. 8B shows windows 802 at a different time.

In this example, server handler 360-B may be a handler for an instance of a door resource (such as portal/doors/1 resource 610-10). As a handler for portal/doors/1 resource 610-10, information stored in state field 428 may include “secure” and “notSecure”. As shown in window 802-1 with icon 804-1 (shaded being ON), the state of portal/doors/1 resource 610-10 is “notSecure”. On the other hand, as shown in window 802-2 with icon 804-2 (not shaded), the state of portal/doors/1 resource 610-10 is “secure”. The state (e.g., “secure” and/or “notSecure”) may be transmitted from server handler 360-B to external client 380-1 through viewing interface 382-B2.

External client 380-1 may subscribe to resource views (e.g., view of state field 428) associated with resource 384-B1 provided by server handler 360-B through viewing interface 382-B2. In one embodiment, server handler 360-B transmits the state (e.g., stored in state field 428) when the state changes or upon request (e.g., a “state request”). In another embodiment, server handler 360-B transmits the state on a periodic basis (e.g., every minute, second, hour). In yet another embodiment, server handler 360-B transmits the state when polled by a script associated with window 802-1 (e.g., using JavaScript). Further, server handler 360-B may transmit the state when first connected to external client 380-1 or when reconnected to external client 380-1.

As another example, a window 802-3 and a window 802-4 display a keypad representation of the state, for example, of a keypad resource. At any given moment, the state of the keypad resource may be displayed in window 802-3. Window 802-4 shows a key “5” being pressed (shown by shading). On the other hand, window 802-3 shows that no key is being pressed (e.g., no key icon is shaded). In this example, whether a key is in a pressed state may be stored as state information in state field 428 of the corresponding resource record 402 in the associated domain object 400.

As noted, in one embodiment, external client 380-1 is a thin client and does not necessarily store the history of the state of resource 384-B1. In some instances, an external client may be a thick client (not shown), such as an “access control management system” (ACMS) application running on a personal computer (e.g., such as administration device 130 implemented as a personal computer). As a thick client, the external client may have more memory to store state history and to receive event messages from a resource, such as portal/doors/1 610-10. Therefore, a thick client may subscribe to event messages (an “event request”) from a resource (such as portal/doors/1 610-10) for storage. A thick client may also subscribe to the state of a resource (such as portal/doors/1 610-10) for storage to maintain a history of the state.

Unlike with a thick client, it may be challenging to implement a thin client (such as a browser) to subscribe to event messages and/or to show state history. It may be more challenging because a thin client generally has fewer computational resources (e.g., memory and storage) than a thick client. For example, if a thin client subscribes to event messages the thin client does not necessarily know the state of a resource when first connecting to the resource (or when the web page refreshes, for example). As another example, a thin client may lose historical information when the web page is refreshed, making it challenging to store historical state information. FIG. 9 shows a configuration 900 in which an event logger is implemented as a resource in a modular control system in one embodiment. Configuration 900 addresses some of the shortcomings of a thin client with respect to historical state information and subscriptions to event messages.

Like configuration 700, configuration 900 includes server handler 360-B that provides resource 384-B1 in a service. Server handler 360-B exposes operational interface 382-B1 to client handler 360-A and viewing interface 382-B2 to external client 380-1.

Configuration 900 also includes an external client 380-2 and a logger resource 384-B2 that is provided by domain object handler 360-B. In other embodiments, logger resource 384-B2 may be implemented using a domain object handler 360 that is different from domain object handler 360-B. As with external client 380-1, external client 380-2 may be a thin client. In one embodiment, external client 380-1 and external client 380-2 may be two components of the same web page running in a device (e.g., running in a web page in administration device 130).

In this example, server handler 360-B (on behalf of event logger resource 384-B2) may subscribe to event messages associated with resource 384-B1. In the situation in which a different handler 360 operates on behalf of event logger resource 384-B2, then that different handler 360 may receive event messages through an interface from handler 360-B (e.g., a third interface). If resource 384-B1 is an instance of a door resource (e.g., such as portal/door/1 610-10), for example, then an event may include “enteredNotSecure” when the door enters the “notSecure” state. An event message may include “enteredSecure” when the door enters the “secure” state (e.g., when its lock locks). Event messages may also include other information, such as a time (e.g., when the event occurred) or an identifier (e.g., who authorized the event). An event message may be a “surpassingMaxOpenTime” just when the door has surpassed the maximum open time of, for example, 20 seconds.

Server handler 360-B may store event messages as they are received. Event logger resource 384-B2 may store these events as its own state (e.g., state field 428 associated with resource record 402 that is associated with event logger resource 384-B2). That is, event messages associated with resource 384-B1 may be stored as state information associated with event logger resource 384-B2. In one embodiment, event logger resource 384-B2 may run in the same device, the same operating system, the same handler 360, the same process, and/or the same thread as server handler 360 while still providing a reliable record of events. In another embodiment, event logger resource 384-B2 may run in a different device, a different operating system, or a different handler 360.

Server handler 360-B (on behalf of event logger resource 384-B2) may also subscribe to the state changes associated with resource 384-B1 (which may or may not be associated with event messages). In the situation in which a different handler 360 operates on behalf of logger resource 384-B2, then that different handler 360 may receive state changes through interface 382-B2 from handler 360-B. In another embodiment, state change information may also be reported through the same interface as event messages. Server handler 360-B may store state change messages as they are received. Event logger resource 384-B2 may store these events as its own state (e.g., state field 428 associated with resource record 402 that is associated with event logger resource 384-B2). That is, state change messages associated with resource 384-B1 may be stored as state information associated with event logger resource 384-B2.

External client 380-2 (e.g., a thin client) may view the state of event logger resource provided by server handler 360-B. In one embodiment, external client 380-2 may subscribe to resource views (e.g., state) associated with event logger resource 384-B2. Because the state of event logger resource 384-B2 corresponds to historical event messages and state information, a thin client (e.g., external client 380-2) can show this information to an operator without the thin client being responsible for storing event messages and/or historical state information.

In one embodiment, server handler 360-B (on behalf of event logger resource 384-B2) transmits the state when the state changes. In another embodiment, server handler 360-B transmits the state on a periodic basis (e.g., every minute, second, hour). In yet another embodiment, server handler 360-B transmits the state when polled by window 802-1 (e.g., via JavaScript). Further, server handler 360-B may transmit the state when first connected to external client 380-1.

FIG. 10A is a block diagram of a configuration 1000A of a web page 1001 and a controller 1004 in one embodiment. The web page may run in a browser in an external client, such as administration device 130. Configuration 1000A shows a web 1001 page with a widget 1002 and an event display 1003. Widget 1002 is associated with a clients/1 resource 1020 in controller 1004. Event display 1003 is associated with a client/2 resource 1024 in controller 1004. Resources clients/1 1020 and clients/2 1024 may in turn be associated with a users/1 resource (not shown in FIG. 10). Widget 1002 and event display 1003 are in communication with controller 1004.

When widget 1002 is activated, the web page sends a command 1005 to the handler of an eventLogger collection 1022 (e.g., a POST command) associated with clients/1 resource 1020. Command 1005 in this example includes a create command to create a new event logger (as shown in FIG. 10B). Similar to the discussion above with respect to FIGS. 6A through 6D, an eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 is created and provided by a handler (see FIG. 10B). The configuration interface (e.g., named “eventLogger_conf” in resource record 402) exposed by the handler of eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 is associated with clients/1 resource 1020. The operational interface (e.g., “eventLogger_op”) exposed by the handler of eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 is associated with clients/2 resource 1024.

The configuration interface associated with eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 may enable configuration of the domain handler associated with eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 to collect events from doors/1 resource 1028, as shown in FIG. 10B. The configuration interface may also allow for a definition of a topic list (e.g., a list of events) and the maximum number of events (e.g., a schema for the events to be collected and stored and made available in a resource view).

Because the operational interface associated with eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 is exposed to clients/2 resource 1024, state information from eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 may displayed to event display window 1003 of the web page (e.g., the same web page that includes widget 1002). Further, because the state information associated with eventLoggers/1 resource 1026 is event information associated with doors/1 resource 1028, event information from doors/1 resource 1028 can be made available to clients/2 resource 1024 as state information (rather than event information). In this manner, event information may be stored in controller 1004 rather than in the web page that hosts event display 1003.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts of processes 1100A and 1100B (collectively processes 1100) for a thin client to view a resource and to view an event logger resource. Process 1100 may be executed by processor 214 in controller 210 executing instructions stored in memory 216.

As shown in FIG. 11A, process 1100A may begin by receiving a request to define a primary resource (block 1102). An example of a primary resource is resource 384-B1, which is configured to enable a client (such as external client 380-1) to access to a primary domain object handler (e.g., server handler 360-B). In the example above, server handler 360-B may correspond to a logical entity (such as a doors/1 resource) that controls a device or a port, or corresponds to a logical entity that controls another resource. Process 1100A continues with identifying a primary domain object for the primary resource (block 1104) in a domain object database. As discussed above, the domain object stores the state of the primary resource (e.g., such as “secure” or “notSecure”).

Process 1100A continues with identifying a viewing interface for the primary resource (block 1106). An example of a viewing interface is shown in FIG. 9 as viewing interface 382-B2. The viewing interface specifies one or more commands associated with the resource, and wherein the interface is configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client. In the case of FIG. 9, viewing interface 382-B2 may receive commands for viewing the state of primary resource 384-B1. Process 1100A continues with receiving a state request associated with the viewing interface for the primary resource (block 1108). Primary domain object handler 360-B is configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource to the client in response to the state request (block 1110). As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, for example, the client may receive and show the state of the resource (e.g., “secure” or “notSecure”).

As shown in FIG. 9, configuration 900 includes a logging resource 384-B2. To establish configuration 900, process 1100B may begin by receiving a request to define a logging resource (block 1152). The logging resource enables access to an event logging domain object handler (a “second domain object handler”) that corresponds to a logical entity that views the state of the primary resource. Process 1100B may continue with identifying and/or defining a second domain object (and/or resource record) for the logging resource (block 1154). The second domain object maps the logging resource to the second domain object handler. The second domain object also represents a state of the logging resource.

Process 1100B may continue with identifying an interface for the logging resource (block 1156). The interface for the logging resource specifies one or more commands associated with the logging resource. The interface for the logging resource is configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client. Process 1100B may continue with receiving the event messages (and/or state messages) (block 1157) associated with the primary resource and storing the event messages as the state of the logging resource in the second domain object.

Process 1100B may continue with receiving a request associated with the interface for the logging resource to view the state of the logging resource, with corresponds to the log (e.g., event log) of the primary resource (block 1158). The domain object handler is configured to send the state of the logging resource in response to the request (block 1160). The state of the logging resource includes the event messages associated with the primary resource.

In one embodiment, the request to define the logging resource defines a topic list. In one embodiment, the request to define the logging resource defines a maximum number of events. In one embodiment, defining an interface for the logging resource includes defining a schema for receiving event messages as a state.

This application incorporates by reference the following applications filed the same day as the present patent application: U.S. application Ser. No. 16731,890, titled “Modular Control System”; U.S. application Ser. No. 16/731,892, titled “Link Selector in a Modular Control System”; U.S. application Ser. No. 16/731,895, titled “Dynamic Transport Setup in a Modular Control System”; and U.S. application Ser. No. 16/731,913titled “Fallback Command in Modular Control System”.

In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

For example, while series of blocks have been described with respect to the figures with flowcharts, the order of the blocks may be modified in other implementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel.

It will be apparent that systems and/or methods, as described above, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these systems and methods is not limiting of the embodiments. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods were described without reference to the specific software code—it being understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement the systems and methods based on the description herein.

Further, certain portions, described above, may be implemented as a component that performs one or more functions. A component, as used herein, may include hardware, such as a processor, an ASIC, or a FPGA, or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a processor executing software).

It should be emphasized that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification are taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, performed by a computer device, the method comprising: receiving, by the computer device, a request to define a primary resource, wherein the primary resource enables access to a primary domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that controls a device or a port, or corresponds to a logical entity that controls another resource; identifying, by the computer device, a primary domain object for the primary resource in a domain object database, wherein the primary domain object maps the primary resource to the primary domain object handler for the computer device, and wherein the primary domain object represents a state of the primary resource; identifying, by the computer device, an interface for the primary resource, wherein the interface specifies one or more commands associated with the primary resource, and wherein the interface is configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client; receiving, by the computer device, a state request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler is configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource in response to the state request; receiving, by the computer device, an event request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler is configured to send event messages associated with the primary resource in response to the event request; receiving, by the computer device, a request to define a logging resource, wherein the logging resource enables access to a second domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that views the state of the primer resource; identifying, by the computer device, a second domain object for the logging resource in the domain object database, wherein the second domain object maps the logging resource to the second domain object handler for the computer device, wherein the second domain object represents a state of the logging resource; and receiving, by the computer device, the event messages associated with the primary resource and storing the event messages as the state of the logging resource in the second domain object.
 2. The method of claim 1, performed by the computer device, wherein the client includes a thin client, a browser, or a component of a web page, and wherein receiving, by the computer device, the request to define the logging resource includes receiving the request from the thin client.
 3. The method of claim 2, performed by the computer device, wherein the primary domain object handler includes the second domain object handler.
 4. The method of claim 1, performed by the computer device, the method comprising: identifying, by the computer device, an interface for the logging resource, wherein the interface for the logging resource specifies one or more commands associated with the logging resource, and wherein the interface for the logging resource is configured to receive the one or more commands associated with the logging resource through the link from the client; and receiving, by the computer device, a request associated with the interface for the logging resource, wherein the domain object handler is configured to send the state of the logging resource in response to the request, wherein the state of the logging resource includes the event messages associated with the primary resource.
 5. The method of claim 4, performed by the computer device, wherein the request to define the logging resource defines a topic list.
 6. The method of claim 4, performed by the computer device, wherein the request to define the logging resource defines a maximum number of events.
 7. The method of claim 4, performed by the computer device, wherein identifying the interface for the logging resource includes defining a schema for receiving the event messages associated with the primary resource.
 8. A computer device comprising: a memory to store instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions to: receive a request to define a primary resource, wherein the primary resource enables access to a primary domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that controls a device or a port, or corresponds to a logical entity that controls another resource; identify a primary domain object for the primary resource in a domain object database, wherein the primary domain object maps the primary resource to the primary domain object handler for the computer device, and wherein the primary domain object represents a state of the primary resource; identify an interface for the primary resource, wherein the interface specifies one or more commands associated with the primary resource, and wherein the interface is configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client; identify a state request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler is configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource in response to the state request; receive an event request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler is configured to send event messages associated with the primary resource in response to the event request; receive a request to define a logging resource, wherein the logging resource enables access to a second domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that views the state of the primary resource; and identify a second domain object for the logging resource in the domain object database, wherein the second domain object maps the logging resource to the second domain object handler for the computer device, wherein the second domain object represents a state of the logging resource; receive the event messages associated with the primary resource and storing the event messages as the state of the logging resource in the second domain object.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the client includes a thin client, a browser, or a component of a web page, and wherein, when receiving the request to define the logging resource, the processor is configured to receive the request from the thin client.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the primary domain object handler includes the second domain object handler.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to: identify an interface for the logging resource, wherein the interface for the logging resource specifies one or more commands associated with the logging resource, and wherein the interface for the logging resource is configured to receive the one or more commands associated with the logging resource through the link from the client; and receive a request associated with the interface for the logging resource, wherein the domain object handler is configured to send the state of the logging resource in response to the request, wherein the state of the logging resource includes the event messages associated with the primary resource.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the request to define the logging resource defines a topic list.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the request to define the logging resource defines a maximum number of events.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein when identifying the interface for the logging resource, the processor is configured to define a schema for receiving the event messages associated with the primary resource.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable memory device storing instructions executable by a processor, the non-transitory computer-readable memory device comprising: one or more instructions to receive a request to define a primary resource, wherein the primary resource enables access to a primary domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that controls a device or a port, or corresponds to a logical entity that controls another resource; one or more instructions to identify a primary domain object for the primary resource in a domain object database, wherein the primary domain object maps the primary resource to the primary domain object handler for a computer device, and wherein the primary domain object represents a state of the primary resource; one or more instructions to identify an interface for the primary resource, wherein the interface specifies one or more commands associated with the primary resource, and wherein the interface is configured to receive the one or more commands through a link from a client; one or more instructions to identify a state request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler is configured to send a state message indicating the state of the primary resource in response to the state request; one or more instructions to receive an event request associated with the interface for the primary resource, wherein the primary domain object handler is configured to send event messages associated with the primary resource in response to the event request; one or more instructions to receive a request to define a logging resource, wherein the logging resource enables access to a second domain object handler that corresponds to a logical entity that views the state of the primary resource; one or more instructions to identify a second domain object for the logging resource in the domain object database, wherein the second domain object maps the logging resource to the second domain object handler for the computer device, wherein the second domain object represents a state of the logging resource; and one or more instructions to receive the event messages associated with the primary resource and storing the event messages as the state of the logging resource in the second domain object.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 15, further comprising: wherein the client is a thin client, a web browser, or a component of a web page, and wherein the one or more instructions to receive the request to define the logging resource includes one or more instructions to receive the request to define the logging resource from the thin client.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 15, wherein the primary domain object handler includes the second domain object handler.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 15, further comprising: one or more instructions to identify an interface for the logging resource, wherein the interface for the logging resource specifies one or more commands associated with the logging resource, and wherein the interface for the logging resource is configured to receive the one or more commands associated with the logging resource through the link from the client; and one or more instructions to receive a request associated with the interface for the logging resource, wherein the domain object handler is configured to send the state of the logging resource in response to the request, wherein the state of the logging resource includes the event messages associated with the primary resource.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 18, wherein the request to define the logging resource defines a topic list and maximum number of events.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 18, further comprising: one or more instructions to define a schema for receiving the event messages associated with the primary resource. 